I am from India, one of my friend came to me asking for helping him in digging out a hidden treasure (Dry Land). He is confident that there is a box of GOLD jewelry in the farm area, which once belongs to kings who ruled this region. I am interested to know is there any threats when the treasure is dug out like (any poisonous gases which might have formed due to chemical reaction of metal with the soil, etc.). I'm an electronics engineer, with no knowledge on treasure hunting.

Can someone help me with this info, preferably from India, so that they know the local process.

Buried treasure no problem with toxins or poisonous gasses. Gold is imperishable. Most jewels are too, especially diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Some jewels will get attacked with soil acids but the byproducts are carbon dioxide and/or mineral salts.

The only problems with poisons is if someone has dumped toxic wastes into the ground and usually the ground will not grow anything on it if there are really toxic substances so that will give a clue if it safe to dig.

Tell your friend to dig up that treasure. Just be sure you have some way to dispose (sell the gold and jewels) that will not get you in trouble with your government. Most countries have some kind of "treasure Trove" laws and you have to be careful about those.

I think that as far I know, there is no such poison except the methane gas which is prevalent when there is a long time void in the area.But it is rare.To be sure, bring along a cage with small bird into the area of digging.The bird will suffocate first if there is a poison in the area.So far, there are always risk involved in treasure hunting,man made or nature made. So it is better to be vigilant all the times while in treasure hunting.

Posted on: April 11, 2011, 01:19:31 AMOne risk involved in digging is that of earth collapsing upon diggers. While excavating see to it that the side of the excavation is secured adequately by forms.Also maintain an angle of cohesion depending on the type of soil.In addition, at water level, the water when in motion due to physical movement will affect the stability of soil in the water level and may cause erosion leading to a crater wide side at the retained water side. This will cause collapse. Therefore the water retained side of the excavation must be protected from the effect of water in motion to avoid erosion.Also excavated and hauled soil including equipments such as pump, etc must be placed at least 3 -6 meters from the hole depending on the discrete condition at the site. This is to avoid the soil and equipment falling into the hole.

I think that as far I know, there is no such poison except the methane gas which is prevalent when there is a long time void in the area.But it is rare.To be sure, bring along a cage with small bird into the area of digging.The bird will suffocate first if there is a poison in the area.So far, there are always risk involved in treasure hunting,man made or nature made. So it is better to be vigilant all the times while in treasure hunting.

Posted on: April 11, 2011, 01:19:31 AMOne risk involved in digging is that of earth collapsing upon diggers. While excavating see to it that the side of the excavation is secured adequately by forms.Also maintain an angle of cohesion depending on the type of soil.In addition, at water level, the water when in motion due to physical movement will affect the stability of soil in the water level and may cause erosion leading to a crater wide side at the retained water side. This will cause collapse. Therefore the water retained side of the excavation must be protected from the effect of water in motion to avoid erosion.Also excavated and hauled soil including equipments such as pump, etc must be placed at least 3 -6 meters from the hole depending on the discrete condition at the site. This is to avoid the soil and equipment falling into the hole.

Wow that about covers that danger of treasure digging,that is if your digging that deep...